The New York Knicks currently do not have a head coach, leading to much speculation about potential candidates. Fox Sports host Jason Smith suggested that the Knicks should consider Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra for the position.
Smith praised Spoelstra as one of the top two coaches in the NBA, alongside Steve Kerr, highlighting Spoelstra’s long tenure and success. Despite being relatively young when he started, Spoelstra has nearly 20 years of experience and has managed teams with strong personalities and big contracts. He’s known for his adaptability and success in the playoffs, even with teams that don’t always meet expectations.
The Knicks recently fired Tom Thibodeau following their loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Spoelstra is widely regarded as one of the top 15 coaches in NBA history. He led the Heat to two championships during the LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade era and more recently guided the team to the Finals in 2020 and 2023, though they lost both times.
In recent seasons, the Heat have struggled, losing in the first round of the playoffs after entering through the Play-In Tournament. Smith questioned the team’s future, noting their 38-win season barely secured a playoff spot.
